As
part of the AP Macro class, you will be watching films in class as well as
being assigned to review shows on television such as
the NPR Nightly Business Report. After reading the commentary
on the show by the instructor as well as supplemental readings posted online,
you will be required to post relevant responses to questions posed on a
blackboard discussion board within the established deadline (usually one week).
These discussion boards are designed to provoke educational and informative
discussion and debate for quiz points while utilizing the blackboard system.

It is NOT
necessary to actually see any film before posting on the discussion board, read
the summary and assigned supplemental readings--as well as other students
thoughts--in order to post a relevant response.

Each week's posting counts as one half of a quiz grade--a relevant post receives
5 points, no post or a offensive or off-topic posting gets a zero. There
is absolutely no excuse not to post on blackboard; these assignments are posted
and open for over a week before the deadline closes the board.

II. QUIZZES

Approximately once a week you will be given a quiz concerning points brought up
in lectures, reading assignments, or current events. EVERY video shown in class will be
the subject of a quiz covering the basic themes and topics of the film--particularly
episodes of Economics U$A. Quizzes
will be anywhere from 6 to 12 possible points and can be in either multiple
choice or graphing essay format.

There are NO makeup quizzes; a missed quiz is NOT counted for the purposes of
the trimester average.

The total quiz average for the trimester will count as ONE test.

III. TESTS

There will be one test per unit as listed in the schedule. These tests will be given
approximately every three weeks. Each Unit Test will consist of 40 multiple choice
questions, and will take approximate one class period to complete.
We will always spend a day going over the multiple choice questions on the test the following day. If you are absent (excused) on a
scheduled Unit Test day you will be expected to make up that test BEFORE the next Unit
Test is given. If you are unexcused absent or fail to make up the test by the
deadline, the missed test will count as a zero.

If you feel unprepared for the test for any reason, you may choose not to
take the test on the scheduled day. However, if you choose not to take the
test on the scheduled day, you will be responsible for making up the test before
the next test is given. Because it was your choice to delay taking the
scheduled test in order to give yourself more time to prepare, the makeup will
necessarily be more challenging and cover more material. It is YOUR choice
not to take a test on the scheduled day.

Multiple choice tests will be counted out of 40 possible points.

There will be approximately THREE Unit Tests per Trimester.

IV. ECONOMIC SIMULATIONS

There will be two economic computer simulations and competitions during the
first two trimesters. You will be graded on participation, effort, and
success in each of these activities.

The first trimester you will be participating in the Internal
Revenue Service' Game of Life. You will be playing the actual
game of Life--but with tax consequences for every
decision. You will be required to keep financial records of all
transactions, income, and expenditures in order to complete the proper income tax
forms based on the information gathered over the 'life' of the game. Using
this simulation, you will be able to understand the basics of government
revenue and the social and economic consequences of taxation policy on
individuals and the economy as a whole.

During the second trimester, you will take on problems of national and
international importance in the Federal Reserve Board's Running the US Economy
also known as the "Fed Challenge' or RUSE. RUSE is a computer
simulation in which you will take on the role of one of the President's Council of
Economic Advisors: the Secretary of the Treasury, the Chairman of the
Federal Reserve, or the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
You will work in policy teams to determine tax rates, levels of government
spending, and interest rates. The computer will grade your team based on
how well your fiscal and monetary policies contributed to economic prosperity,
growth, price stability, and full employment. The most successful teams
may
actually be invited to present their findings and results to the actual Federal
Reserve Board of Directors in New York City in May.

Every member of a simulation team MUST be prepared to make and justify
decisions for the entire team; absences during simulations will count against
your individual score.

Each simulation will be counted as HALF a test grade, and will be scored out of 20 possible points.

V. FINAL EXAM

Yes. Unless otherwise instructed by the administration or your teacher, there WILL be a
final examination in this course.

The final examination will be 60 multiple choice questions taken in 70
minutes and will counted out of 60 possible points.

VI. OPTIONAL POINTS

Optional points may be given for attendance at both Political and Business Forums put on by the
Institute for Civic Involvement. Thoughtful reflections on your part will
be handed in to the sponsor at the end of every forum and will then be given to
me. In order to receive any credit for attendance, your form MUST be
filled out, handed in, and sent to me.

Forum attendance will receive 1 out of 1 possible points to a maximum total
of 10 points.

THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO EXTRA CREDIT IN THIS COURSE!

YOUR FINAL GRADE WILL BE
DETERMINED BY A PERCENTAGE: THE POINTS YOU HAVE EARNED DIVIDED BY YOUR TOTAL
POSSIBLE POINTS.